Obituary

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 93, 10 September 1948, Page 4

Obituary

MRS B. M. BRABANT In the death of Mrs Bernhar&ine Mary Margaret Brabant which occurred on Wednesday, Whakatane has lost yet another link with the past. The first Mayoress of the town, Mrs Brabant led a very full and active life and had widespread associations with social and civic organisations within this district and beyond. She was predeceased by her husband, the late Mr George Alexander Brabant, some three years ago. Mrs Brabant was born in London seventy-six years ago and was the eldest daughter of the late Captain and Mrs Jamfes Smith. She left England at an early age and lived for several years in 'Canada, chiefly at Quebec and Montreal. Later in San Francisco, she met and married her late husband who was working in America by way of a holiday vacation. Returning to New Zealahd in the original ‘Mariposa’ in 1896, she lived alternately at Auckland, Paeroa, s Tauranga and Whakatane, where her husband occupied the position of agent for the Northern Steamship Company. She arrived in this town thirtyfive years ago and had the distinction of being the town’s first lady during the war years of 1916-19. Her Amazing energy for public organisation and service fbund outlet in endless patriotic and farewefl activities. During the post-war epidemic she threw herself into the work of caring for the sick and at one stage converted the Commercial Hotel (original structure) into a temporary hospital. In all local affairs she busied herself and -years after her retirement from municipal associations, she still remained a willing and energetic worker for numerous local groups. Latterly Mrs Brabant has lived in comparative retirement but her generous disposition found outlet in the despatch of numerous food and clothing parcels to Britain both in a private capacity and also through the Auckland Lyceum Club of which she remained an enthusiastic member up to the time, of her death. In recent years she made several trips to the U.S.A. and to Canada for the purpose of visiting hier brother Mid sister, who live there. She is survived by her two sons, Messrs Herbert and Keith Brabant of Whakatane. There are six grand children.